"Anti-fat" drug could be available within four years

An "anti-fat" drug with a significant worldwide market potential could be available in four years, after tests on obese men showed encouraging results, according to the Australian pharmaceutical research company developing the drug.

Metabolic said the trials were conducted on clinically obese men, who received the drug once a week for four weeks, one each of varying doses of AOD9604 and placebo. Although the trial was not designed to assess weight loss, the older men in the test group (over 35 years) showed significant weight loss.

"It's very significant - it is the first time we have tested it (AOD9604) in patients with an obese condition," Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Chris Belyea told AAP. "Surprisingly, we were able to see weight reduction."

The company said the aim of the trial was to assess safety and tolerability. "There were no safety concerns and the drug was well tolerated at all doses," the company said. "The overall data show an increase in fat breakdown two hours after AOD9604 dosing compared to the placebo."

Mr Belyea said the next step was to conduct trials where the AOD9604 was taken orally. Oral trials were expected to start in April and results available a few months later. Ultimately, it was hoped that an oral "anti-fat" capsule would be developed that would first be made available by prescription and later over-the-counter. He said the drug could assist people suffering from obesity-related illnesses such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart and kidney disease, and diabetes.

The market was potentially worth $20 billion. "20% of people in the western world are obese," Mr Belyea said. Metabolic Pharmaceuticals could take AOD9604 forward by itself or appoint a major pharmaceutical company to market the drug at some point.